Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment which ensures federally funded public transportation systems are considered an essential service as Puerto Rico works to address its debt crisis.

Mr. Chairman, public transportation services in Puerto Rico are provided by a fully automated rapid rail line known as Tren Urbano. The system serves 8.5 million customers each year, providing access to three universities, the main medical center in Puerto Rico, and major financial centers in its capital.

Construction of Tren Urbano was funded by the United States Government through a Federal Transit Administration grant. In fact, of the total $2.2 billion price tag, over $800 million came from Federal grants, and another $300 million came from a TIFIA loan. These are taxpayer investments we cannot let go to waste, and this amendment is simply a fiscally responsible way to make sure that that doesn't happen.

Failure to maintain Puerto Rico's mass transit system would cause Tren Urbano to fall into disrepair. We have seen just how disruptive those problems can be right here in our Nation's Capital. As the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I recently held a hearing on the safety and reliability of the Metro system here in D.C. Repairs to the Metro have added to congestion problems in this city, and it has caused an untold amount in lost worker productivity. We do not want to see the same problems in Puerto Rico. We want to make sure that that doesn't happen. We don't want to see those same problems, especially given the economic situation they are facing.

Over the last several years, the Government of Puerto Rico has struggled to pay for Tren Urbano's operations. At times, outstanding debt for operations has exceeded $20 million. Nevertheless, with the aid of FTA preventive maintenance grants, revenues from passenger fares, and funds from the Puerto Rican Highway and Transportation Authority, Tren Urbano has been able to continue serving the residents of Puerto Rico. It is critical we ensure Tren Urbano is treated as an essential service so that we can protect the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that are already invested in the system.

Mr. Chairman, this doesn't prioritize anything. It doesn't put anything at the top of the list. It just simply says that it is going to be a part of this process, so we do not lose that investment.

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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. I yield to the gentleman from Utah.

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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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